Indian Economy News

Ministry of Education launches nationwide enforcement drive to make educational institutions Tobacco and Substance-Free

The Ministry of Education has launched a nationwide enforcement drive to make educational institutions tobacco and substance-free. This initiative, issued by the Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Mr. Sanjay Kumar, follows the eighth Apex Committee meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) held on May 15, 2025. The meeting highlighted the urgent need to safeguard young minds from harmful substances and called for coordinated efforts between education and law enforcement departments. India has one of the youngest populations in the world, and protecting this demographic strength is crucial for building a developed nation. Studies indicate a rapid increase in tobacco consumption among the youth, with over 5,500 children starting to use tobacco daily. The Ministry is implementing the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEl) Guidelines to combat this threat, providing structured guidance to create a healthier student environment.
The ToFEI guidelines outline nine activities for schools and colleges to keep campuses tobacco-free, including displaying signage, conducting awareness activities, and ensuring no tobacco sales within a 100-yard zone. Two key actions require immediate support from local authorities: marking a 100-yard tobacco-free zone and ensuring no tobacco sales within this area. A month-long enforcement drive will begin on May 31, 2025, coinciding with World No Tobacco Day, and continue until June 26, 2025, International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. States are encouraged to develop a clear SOP for reporting violations. The Ministry has also launched the World No Tobacco Day Awareness Quiz 2025 on the MyGov platform to educate the public on the dangers of tobacco. Community involvement and awareness are key to creating safe learning environments.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.